There are many decorations on a Christmas tree; however, there is only one that signifies my ancestry. This garland was made and purchased in Poland by my great-great-great grandmother, Tabitha. My family lived in Poland until the 1920’s, then Tabitha decided she was going to move to America. Tabitha was young, barely an adult, but she knew she wanted a better life with better opportunities. She came to America by herself, with only a few clothes and a few keepsakes, like the garland. She made a life for herself here, working as a nurse. Later in life, she married and had a child of her own, whom she passed the garland down to. 100 years later, the tradition is still going, the beautiful decoration getting passed down to the oldest child, so we can never forget the past struggles and lives of our ancestors. 

– Paige Graybill

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more